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Home of The Saturday Evening PostThu, 08 Dec 2016 18:58:34 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.1How to Find the Right Vet for Your Pet Onlinehttp://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2012/02/27/health-and-family/pets-animals/how-to-find-the-right-vet-for-your-pet-online.html
Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:30:44 +0000http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/?p=52384Here are some of the online tools to help you find a nearby veterinarian, emergency pet care, and support for you and your pet.

]]>Big or small, our furry, feathered, and scaly friends are part of the family. And like any family member, we want to take care of them throughout life and make sure that they get the best help when they need it the most. Thankfully, there are plenty of online tools to help you find a nearby veterinarian, emergency pet care, and support for you and your pet.

Finding a nearby vet for your pet

While Google Maps is always a handy way to search for local businesses, there are several excellent websites specifically designed to help you find a local vet. One of our top recommended sites is Veterinarians.com. Here, you can easily search for local vets, read reviews and testimonials, and even request a consultation from various vets in your area.

Two other sites to check out are FindALocalVet and LocalVets. They’re not as full-featured as some sites but still make great resources when shopping around for vets in your area.

Not all vets are right for you

When searching for a veterinarian online, it’s important to keep in mind that not all vets are right for all pets. Most vets can handle the common problems and routine maintenance for your cat or dog, but finding a vet for birds, reptiles, and farm animals can be more of a challenge. It’s always a good idea to call the vet clinic in question and ask if they are comfortable treating your pet.

Just like finding a doctor for yourself, you’ll want to do some research on prospective vets. The easiest way to do this is to go to the VetRatingz website. Just type in the name of the vet clinic to read reviews from other pet owners. Be sure to look up prospective vets on Google Maps for additional comments and ratings.

Finding emergency care

Coming home to find a sick or injured pet is an owner’s worst nightmare. Even if your primary veterinarian is still open, not all clinics are equipped to handle emergency visits. It’s always a good idea to have an emergency vet clinic or animal hospital in mind well before your pet needs to visit one. Researching local emergency vets now will save you time (and possibly your pet’s life) later; be sure to consult your primary provider for emergency vet recommendations. You’ll want the two providers working hand-in-hand as much as possible.

The VetLocator website has an excellent emergency vet locator tool and lists several emergency animal poison control phone numbers. Google Maps can also be useful when researching and locating emergency vet clinics and hospitals.

Support and help

Vet visits and pet medication can be very expensive. If you find yourself having trouble paying for pet bills, you can often work something out with your vet, especially if you have an established relationship. Another option is to sign up for pet insurance. A simple Google search for pet insurance will give you several options to choose from.

The unfortunate reality of pet ownership is that some day your pet will pass away. There are many websites to help you and your family cope with the loss of a pet. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) offers a number of helpful articles and even a Pet Loss Hotline to help you in your time of need.